In the world of design, offices are not a destination, but an ecosystem. Conceived as a series of living spaces, La Pièce fully embraces this idea: a place where ideas move freely, where every material and every line supports what really matters: collaboration, well-being, creation.
Text: Audrey Larin
Behind the facade of an industrial building in the Saint-Sacrement district, just minutes from Old Quebec, an ordinary space has become a vibrant hub. Alongside the team of designers and cabinetmakers at Ateliers Jacob, Marie-Pier Bélanger and Azélie Pilon—co-founders of La Pièce, a Quebec media outlet that explores the connections between architecture, lifestyle, and the way we inhabit the world—have shaped an office reflecting their shared design philosophy: sustainable, intelligent, and deeply human.
Conceived with the same intention as Canapé magazine, an extension of La Pièce that is timeless, thoughtful, and inspiring, their offices unfold through distinct zones, each designed as a self-contained sequence. The coffee corner welcomes spontaneous conversations and turns into an informal happy hour gathering spot by night. A little further, the collaborative workspace fosters exchange and fuels creative energy.
Each zone carries its own role and rhythm. All of this creates a harmonious space, designed to promote creativity, collaboration, and well-being.
The team at La Pièce had a clear vision for the design of their new offices. A thoughtful approach, focused on well-being and sustainability, took shape through a mood board inspired by the warmth of Californian lofts and the clean lines of Scandinavian design.
The chosen materials, such as white oak, mineral stone, and lime-washed walls, go beyond mere aesthetics. They reflect a shared commitment between Ateliers Jacob and La Pièce: to imagine sustainable environments, crafted with care from noble, responsible materials.
Every detail, from ribbed glass to floating volumes, from generous openings to soft curves, reflects the same intention: to create a space that serves today’s needs while honouring tomorrow’s resources.
With this project, everything began with the existing space. A rental property, already defined by certain lines, volumes, and generous ceiling heights. Rather than attempting a complete overhaul, the team chose to engage with the environment intelligently.
This is where Ateliers Jacob’s expertise revealed itself. Accustomed to working with the unique features of each site, they crafted a layout true to the essence of La Pièce, sculpted with precision and free of excess.
Here, bespoke design wasn’t an aesthetic choice, but a natural approach, born from listening to the space and the project’s vision.
Behind every material choice lies an intention. The white oak veneer, chosen for its clean lines and luminous hue, sets the tone. It reflects a shared desire to create a calming space where materials have meaning. Around it, textures resonate: mineral stone, micro-concrete, and lime-washed walls. Together, they compose a balanced environment, understated yet not cold, designed to last.
Nothing is frozen in time. The materials will evolve alongside those who inhabit the space. The custom-made furniture responds naturally to everyday movements: sculpted handles, open shelves, and floating volumes.
Each curve reflects a desire to offer a fluid, comfortable, and inspiring setting. A place where design meets purpose, where form follows well-being, and where space becomes a creative catalyst.
Designed as a residential entryway, the entrance features a bench, framed by discreet storage and custom-made open niches. The wall of vertical wooden slats creates a calming rhythm.
On the opposite wall, two floating shelves display several copies of Canapé magazine, forming a living gallery of their editorial work.
Custom-designed by Ateliers Jacob, the coffee corner is anchored by bespoke cabinetry that combines functionality with quiet elegance.
Below the counter, solid cabinets in light oak, with soft corners, subtly conceal a refrigerator and storage spaces. Solid wood handles in matching tones provide a feeling of continuity.
The center of this unit features a quartz countertop in mineral tones, its shape echoing the lines of the furniture. The backsplash, crafted from the same material, harmoniously extends this curve with elegance. A few cups rest on a thin quartz slab, discreetly integrated into the backsplash, an understated invitation to pause.
Above, fluted glass doors reveal just enough of the objects inside while softening the visual impact.
This barista corner evokes those precious moments between ideas, when one takes the time to enjoy a cup of coffee, browse a magazine, and let inspiration slowly rise.
Among the custom-made creations designed for this office, this full-height unit naturally draws the eye. Designed by Catherine de La Sablonnière and crafted by the cabinetmakers at Ateliers Jacob, it stands out with its pale oak, clean lines, and quartz surface with mineral undertones. Its balanced proportions and brass handles give it a style that feels both Californian and Scandinavian.
This piece, functional yet refined, captures the essence of the entire project: design grounded in simplicity and well-being.
Among La Pièce’s dream collaborations, this project held a special place. Crafted in close collaboration with Ateliers Jacob, it goes beyond creating an office: it embodies a shared vision of design—sustainable, intelligent, and profoundly human. A space thoughtfully designed to reflect the people who inhabit it and what inspires them every day.
